Biiliac width

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In humans, Biiliac Width is an anatomical term referring to the widest measure of the pelvis between the outer edges of the upper iliac bones.

Biiliac Width has the following common synonyms: pelvic bone width, biiliac breadth, intercristal breadth/width, bi-iliac breadth/width and biiliocristal breadth/width.

In the average adult female, it measures 28 cm (11 in).<ref> http://www.healthyeatingclub.org/APJCN/Volume14/vol14.1/fullArticles/Heinz.pdf </ref> It is best measured by anthropometric calipers (an anthropometer designed for such measurement is called a pelvimeter). Attempting to measure biiliac width with a tape measure along a curved surface is inaccurate.

The biiliac width measure is helpful in obstetrics because a pelvis that is significantly too small or too large can have obstetrical complications. For example, a large baby and/or a small pelvis often lead to a caesarean section. <ref> http://health.enotes.com/medicine-encyclopedia/cesarean-section </ref>

It is also used by anthropologists to estimate body mass.<ref>Ruff C, Niskanenb M, Junnob J, Jamisonc P (2005). "Body mass prediction from stature and bi-iliac breadth in two high latitude populations, with application to earlier higher latitude humans". Journal of Human Evolution 48: 381-392. Retrieved on 2006-07-26.</ref>